tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30354864.post2864900700155623063..comments2023-11-02T06:13:57.587-07:00Comments on Semi-desperate Housewife: Spring Cleaning (Mentally, Anyways)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07141742419364168878noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30354864.post-41709437218532893772007-04-10T13:27:00.000-07:002007-04-10T13:27:00.000-07:00My only tip is, accept any help that is offered. ...My only tip is, accept any help that is offered. <BR/>We only have one child, and I am a Type A to a fault. I remember obsessing about the mess in the beginning and feeling guilty when family and friends were helping me keep up on my house work...In retrospect, I shouldn't have given it a second thought, everyone was happy to help and I will do the same for them! The first 7 months of my son’s life have passed in light speed and the tidiness (or lack thereof) is really inconsequential. Give yourself a break in the beginning; don't be so hard on yourself (why do moms always do this?). Know that you'll find your way eventually, partially by prioritizing and using your time efficiently and partially by learning to let it go. Nobody is Martha Stewart; the real Martha Stewart has lots of hired helpLisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09633037653291978813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30354864.post-62115815904621064112007-04-10T13:00:00.000-07:002007-04-10T13:00:00.000-07:00It's all a blur to me. Both for the second and th...It's all a blur to me. Both for the second and the third. I do know that I sent the oldest to her day care provider's twice a week (after both baby #2 and baby #3) and that helped. Especially since she decided to stop napping right as #2 was born--but only for me. She NEEDED to go to my friend's house if anything so that she would sleep--and the rest of us could, too! <BR/><BR/>Cleaning was most definitely NOT a priority. <BR/><BR/>I don't remember anything else..... Just that I made it through. And you will, too.CAQuincyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11821192974215349171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30354864.post-15409244195524613032007-04-10T12:55:00.000-07:002007-04-10T12:55:00.000-07:00I'm with Swistle on this. I feel that I should be...I'm with Swistle on this. I feel that I should be the first to offer great tips, but can't seem to remember how the adjustment period went. I do always remember telling myself the time of having a very newborn baby and toddler is a pretty short amount of time. It also helps to just "let things go". I know that's easier to say than it is to do. <BR/><BR/>I also remember the terrified feeling I had about brining home a new baby with my toddlers, but you know we all made it each and every time. You will do it and my best advice is not to be afraid to ask for help from family or friends.<BR/><BR/>You'll do great!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30354864.post-24703270759439210922007-04-10T12:18:00.000-07:002007-04-10T12:18:00.000-07:00"Jim reminded me that I could always get up before..."Jim reminded me that I could always get up before the kids and shower and get ready early." ha ha ha! I don't think Jim remembers what it's like to have a newborn.<BR/><BR/>Me, I learned to let things go a little more (I'm very much a Type A, so this is a big deal!). Laundry gets done when it gets done. Dishes get done while the kids are playing independently, and they sit in the sink until that moment comes. Dinner is things which are baked or crockpotted (less cooking time). Or dinner is made after the kids go to bed and heated up the next day. Hamburger helper anyone?<BR/><BR/>Grocery shopping is done after the kids go to bed. (Sounds horrible, I know, but it's actually really is nice because the store is EMPTY and I get the best parking space in the lot. And the shelves are fully stocked.)<BR/><BR/>You'll find a way to make it work. Try to establish a schedule or routine, that'll make it easier. Addy will learn the schedule and she'll be able to help keep things on track. It isn't easy, but you'll find a way to make it work for you and your gang.Shauna Loves Chocolatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02230467569621226082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30354864.post-1606031540125845712007-04-10T11:48:00.000-07:002007-04-10T11:48:00.000-07:00First just remember how you had to adjust with the...First just remember how you had to adjust with the first child. Now it seems second nature. You'll just adjust again.<BR/><BR/>This also makes me think I'm crazy some days for wanting more kids. Because I know I'll have the same doubts and concerns. When it really comes down to it, though, I know it will be great and wonderful having more children. I'll think back and have a hard time seeing my life complete without them. <BR/><BR/>But for now I'll see what advice others give you, and just hold onto it until needed.Mommy Daisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02272248293460562006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30354864.post-75729280948486901622007-04-10T11:33:00.000-07:002007-04-10T11:33:00.000-07:00Incidentally, for the first month, I remember thin...Incidentally, for the first month, I remember thinking, "This can't be done. This can't be done." I was reluctant to say so here, not only because experiences differ but also because that particular experience seems negative--except, a friend of mine had the same thoughts at the same stage, and I was so relieved to find that someone else felt that way. <I>Especially</I> since she was 4 months ahead of me and could tell me that the feeling didn't last, and that things got better every week until it felt as if she'd ALWAYS had two children, and she couldn't remember how things had been with just one.Swistlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13126937282657655091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30354864.post-23875120951997705462007-04-10T11:31:00.000-07:002007-04-10T11:31:00.000-07:00I feel as if I ought to be racing up to the front ...I feel as if I ought to be racing up to the front of the line to say "I have tips! I have tips!" and yet I am blank. I've brought newborns home to join older siblings twice now, and yet...I don't really remember how the coping happened. I remember thinking various things such as "Break it into pieces" (meaning don't try to clean the whole bathroom at once, just try to EITHER scrub the bowl OR wipe down the sink), but I'm afraid that the thing that helped the most was letting go of a little of the control thing. I can't always manage it, but I get better with each baby. And the other thing that helped was knowing that it was a stage, and that things would feel more normal later.Swistlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13126937282657655091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30354864.post-58635372992434142552007-04-10T11:02:00.000-07:002007-04-10T11:02:00.000-07:00I feel exactly the same way you feel.I'm scared to...I feel exactly the same way you feel.<BR/><BR/>I'm scared to death of the lack of schedule, lack of free time, lack on cleaning time...<BR/><BR/>I hope people offer some advice here...we both need it!Jennifer https://www.blogger.com/profile/08191366421121919596noreply@blogger.com